The pectineus muscle is a small, flat, quadrangular muscle located in the groin and upper inner thigh. Understanding this muscle can contribute to a deeper awareness of hip movement and potential sources of discomfort.
Anatomical Placement
The pectineus muscle is positioned in the upper and inner part of the thigh, making it the most forward-lying adductor muscle of the hip. It originates from the pectineal line of the pubic bone, a ridge on the front of the pelvis. From this point, its fibers extend diagonally downwards and outwards.
The muscle then inserts onto the pectineal line of the femur. This oblique line is on the back surface of the femur, just below the lesser trochanter. This unique path places the pectineus muscle within the floor of the femoral triangle, a significant anatomical region in the upper thigh. It lies medial to the iliopsoas muscle and lateral to the adductor longus muscle, making it a transitional muscle between the anterior and medial compartments of the thigh.
Role in Movement
The pectineus muscle contributes to several hip movements, primarily hip adduction and hip flexion. Hip adduction involves bringing the leg closer to the midline of the body. Hip flexion is the action of lifting the knee towards the chest.
These actions are evident in everyday activities like crossing your legs at the knee or ankle, where both flexion and adduction occur. The muscle also plays a role in the “carry-through” phase of walking, where the leg swings forward. While its main contributions are adduction and flexion, the pectineus can also assist with external (lateral) and internal (medial) rotation of the hip, depending on the hip’s position.
Common Pectineus Issues
Discomfort or pain in the pectineus muscle commonly results from strains or pulls. These injuries often occur during activities involving sudden changes in direction, rapid kicking, or quick adduction movements. Athletes in sports like soccer, basketball, or sprinting may experience these issues due to demands on the inner thigh muscles.
Symptoms include pain in the groin, inner thigh, or front top of the thigh. This pain can range from a dull ache to a sharp sensation during injury. Swelling, bruising, and tenderness in the affected area are also possible. Preventing pectineus issues involves proper warm-up routines and stretching exercises targeting the adductor muscles to promote flexibility.